Time-piece calendar



3 Sheets-Sheet, 1.

(Model.)

G. E. SANFORD.

TIME PIECE CALENDAR.

Patented Mar. 21,1882

ilhogmpher, Washington, a. c.

.lttorneys 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2.

(ModeL) G. SANFORD.

TIME PIECE CALENDAR.

Patented Mar. 21,188 2.

Fly. a.

WITNESSES IN V JVTOR Attorneys 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Model) G. E. SANFORD.

TIME PIE-GE CALENDAR.

Patented Mar. 21,1882.

TIES;

.dttorneys N. PETERS. Pholo-Lilhognpinn Wnhinron, no.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE ELME-t SANFORD, OF GENOA, NEW YORK.

Tl ME-PIECE CALENDAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Application filed July 14, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE ELMER SAN- FORD, acitizen of the United States, residing at Genoa, in the county of Cayugaand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Time-PieceCalendar for Clocks and Watches, of which the following is aspecification.

Thisinventionrelatestocalendartime-picccs; and it consists in certainimprovements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafterfully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

lilyinvention has for its object, first, to provide a calendar timepiecewhich will operate equally well in any position in which it may beplaced; second, to so construct and arrange the mechanism as to occupybut small and fiat space; third, to cause a retrograde movement of thedating-wheel in lieu of the usual advance or skipping movement at theend of the month, thus making it possible to operate the timepiece andcalendar with less power than heretofore; and, fourth, to avoid a largeand confusing number of figures upon the face of the dial, thus enablingthe requisite figures to be made larger, so as to show more plainly.

1 attain the objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of a clock-dialto which m-yinve ntion has been applied. Fig. 2is arear view of thecalendar mechanism. Fig. 3 is a front view of the driving-gear. Fig. 4is a plan view of the year-wheel and the lever T. Fig. 5 is a side viewof the year-wheel and part of the gage-wheel. Fig. 6 is apart sectionalview of the year-wheel and four-year wheel. Fig. 7 is a rear view of themain frame with the springs, regulator-wheel, pitm an-rod, and otherparts in position. Fig. vS is a face view with the dial removed. Fig. 9is a perspective view of the gage-wheel. Fig. 10 is a perspective viewof the year-wheel; and Fig. 11 is a detail view, showing the arrangementof the spring for causing a retrograde movement to the gagewheel.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like lettersof reference.

Patent No. 255,198, dated March 21, 1832.

(Modch) may be an ordinary zinc dial, with the central portion sunk soas to accommodate the works, the dial being secured to a suitable frameor casing, B, which is to be made of any suitable construction, so as toadapt it for watches or clocks of any kind or size.

In small clocks or watches the dial may be cast with posts to hold theback, and its rear side may be recessed to receive the calendarwheels.

Suitable bearings are provided in the frame and dial for the severalshafts, G, D, E, F, and G. Shaft O carries a toothed wheel, H, havingten teeth or ratchets, I, with intermediate notches, J, and a smallcog-wheel or pinion, K, to mesh with the gage-wheel L, as shown indetail in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Shaft C also carries a plate or disk,M, numbered upon its face from 0 to 9, inclusive, as in Fig. 8. Thesefigures are used to show the unitfigure of the date. HenceIcall disk Mthe units-disk.

Disk M is provided upon its rear side with a radialiy-projecting arm, N,arranged to mesh in the notches 0 (four in number) of adisk, P, mountedupon shaft G, adjoining disk M, which thus serves to turn disk P forwardthe space of one notch or one-fourth its circumference during eachrevolution of said disk M. Arm N is placed upon disk M at a pointbetween the numbers 9 and (l. Shaft G also carries in front of disk P adisk, A, numbered upon its front side 1,2, and 3. It is, however,divided into four equal parts, one of which, between 3 and 1, is leftblank. This disk, which I call the tens-disk, is, as stated, turnedforward one space by each revolution of the units-disk. Thus, supposingit to be placed so as to show its blank space through the slot in thedial shown in Fig. 1, it will remain undisturbed until the units-diskshows the figure 9, indicating the ninth day of the month. When theunits-disk is again moved forward, so as to show figure 0, it at thesame time moves the tens-disk forward one space, so as to show figure 1.Thus the two disks together will show the correct date-10. The tens-disknow again remains undisturbed during a revolution of the units-disk oruntil the A in the drawings refers to the dial, which latter again showsfigure 9. It is then moved forward so as to show figure 2, which, withfigure 0 of the units-disk, shows the correct date-20.

To prevent the tens-disk from being moved forward too greator too smalla distance when actuated by the arm N of the units-disk, l avail myselfof the following mechanism: The edge of disk Z is toothed, as shown inFig. 7, and engages a small suitably-arranged pinion, A, which I callthe regulator-wheel, and which makes four revolutions to one of the diskZ. Iinion A has a crank-pin, B, connected by a pitman or rod, D, withthe end of a suitablyarranged spring, S. The pinion A and disk Z arerelatively so arranged that when pitman D is held' by the spring S inthe position shown in Fig. 7, and the crank-pin 13 thus at adead-center, one of the figures on face of disk Z shall show plainlythrough the slot in the dial. Now, when disk Z is moved forward by arm Nof the units-disk engaging one of the notches 0 in disk P, the pinion Ais rotated against the tension of the spring S until disk Z has beenmoved forward one-half of the required distance. The first deadeenter ofthe crank-pin B is now reached, and as soon as it has been passed thespring S reacts, assisting in moving the disk Z forward to the requiredpoint.

Shaft D carries the gagewheel L, which is toothed, as shown, and mesheswith the pinion K on shaft 0. Secured to shaft D is one end of a spring,R, which is wound in and has its other end secured to a drum or barrel,Q, suitably secured to the frame. Spring R is so arranged as to be woundupon shaft D as the gage-wheel is being moved forward by the pinion Kupon shaft U.

The frame-bar S, which forms one of the bearings for shaft 1), has acollet, encircling said shaft, and forming a bearing for a lever, T, theconstruction andoperation of which will be hereinafter described.

Shaft F carries the year wheel or disk V, which consists of a fiat diskhaving the names of the twelve months or their abbreviations inscribedupon its face, so as to show successively through a slot in the dial, asin Fig. 1. This wheel, the construction of which is shown in detail inFig. 10 of the drawings, is provided upon its rear side with a circularrim or flange, I, having twelve equidistant radially-projecting teeth,W, and provided with notches 28 30, the rear ends of which are beveled,as shown at B, Fig. 10, in order to make the spring. K, which will behereinafter described, to escape from the said notches as the wheeladvances. The notches 30 are so located as to correspond with the monthsof April, June, September, and November upon the face of the dial, saidmonths having but thirty days. The notch 28, which is three times asdeep as any of the notches 30, is located to correspond with theinscription Febi upon the face of the wheel.

Shaft E carries a toothed wheel, X, having seven teeth or ratchets, anda disk Y, having its face inscribed with the names of the days of theweek or abbreviations thereof. In watches the shaft E may be madehollow, to afford space for the passage of the second-h and arbor.

The lever T, to which reference has been made above, is a bell-cranklever, one arm of which is straight, as at L, and serves as a detent tothe teeth [of the units-wheel H. The other arm is curved and terminatesin a hook, M, engaging the teeth W of the rim \V upon the year-wheel.The curved arm is also provided with a projection, N, adapted to enterthe spaces between the said teeth V when the hook M is disengagedtherefrom. Lever T has a third elastic arm or llat spring, K, projectingfrom its fulcrum and adapted to engage the notches 28 30 in the rim W ofthe year-wheel. Lever T is held to its work by a curved spring, 0, oneend or arm of which presses the curved arm of said lever upward towardthe rim of the year-wheel, while its other end serves as a spring pawlor detentto the teeth of the week-wheel or severrtoothed wheel X.

The gage-wheel L is provided upon its rear face with a segmental tiange,I-l, having four steps, (denoted by 28, 29, 30, and 3H.) The height ofeach of these steps is equal to the depth of one of the notches 30 inrim \V of the year-wheel, step 30- being on a level with the top edge ofsaid rim. Gage-wheel L, it will be remembered, is moved forward by thepinion K upon the shaft 0 of the units-disk, and each of the steps uponflange II should be of a length equal to the space which the gage-wheelis in this manner moved forward in the course of twentyfour hours.Gage-wheel L is also provided with a radially-projecting arm, G,

located at a distance from step 31 equal to the space traveled by thegage-wheel in the course of thirty-one days. 4

Upon the shaft F of the year-wheel is socured a small pinion, U, meshingwith a toothed wheel, P, turning upon a pin or post, Q, Fig. 2, madefast to the frame within the rim or flange W. Wheel P, which I call thefour year wheel, makes one revolution to four of the pinion U, (and theyear-wheel,) and it is provided upon its rear side or face with asegmental projection, It, extending round ninety degrees or one-fourthof said wheel, as shown in Fig. 2; and the said projection is of such aheight as to be on a level with a point between the bottoms of thenotches 28 and 30 in the rim \V of the year-wheel. Wheel P must,moreover, be set in such amanner in relation to the year-wheel that whenFebruary of a leap-year is shown, and only then, shall the projection Itbe directly opposite the notch 28 in therim of said year-wheel.

The driving-gear shown in Fig. 3 may be attached to the works or gear ofany timepiece; and it consists of the ordinary twelvchour dial-wheel, 0carrying the hour-hand and meshing with a wheel, D placed upon one ofthe winding-posts so as to turnloosely. .Whecl D is twice the size ofwheel 0 Henceitturns but once in twenty-four hours.

Drive-wheel D is provided with two projecting arms, E F, so arrangedthat arm E shall mesh only with the units-wheel and the arm F with theweek-wheel X only. These arms are so placed as to move the said wheelsforward the space of one tooth each about the hour of midnight.

Modifications of construction may be made when saving ofspaceisadesideratum,aswhen the time-piece has to be wound from the rear,(as in ordinary watches,) or by stem-winding mechanism.Suchmoditications,however, will readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art to which my invention appertains; and I do not wishto be considered as limiting myself to any details in this respect.

The operation of myinvention is as follows: After the various parts ofthe calendar have been properly set or regulated and the timepiecewound, the drive-wheelD once in twenty-four hours moves the units-wheeland weekwheel forward the space of one tooth each, thus advancing thedate one day. The tenswheel is operated by the units-wheel, as alreadydescribed. For the sake of illustration let it now be supposed thatMarch of any year is shown by theyear-wheel. This month havingthirty-one days, the spring-finger K of lever T rests upon the top offlange WV of the year-wheel. The gage-wheel L continues to revolve,operated by pinion K of shaft 0, until the step 31 of flange Hreachesflnger K, the remaining steps of said flange having alreadypassed under finger K, which, it will be remembered, is supported on topof flange W, which is higher than the step 30 of flange H.

.When step 31 strikes finger Kitoperatesthe lever T, of which saidfinger forms part, with the following result: The projection N isdisengaged froni the space between teeth W which it previously occupied.The hook M catches against one of said teeth and moves the year-wheelforward half a space, thus causing projection N to be supported againstthe outer end of one of the teeth. When the lever is in this positionthe arm L of the lever is disengaged from the teeth of the unitswheel,upon which it has been acting as a detent, and through it upon thegage-wheel. The latter being thus released, the spring R will react uponits shaft D, upon which it has been wound by .the progress of said wheelduring the month,thusturning the gage-wheel L back until its projectingarm G strikes one of the teeth of the year-wheel, which is thus movedforward the remainder of one months space. The notch N of lever T, whichis actuated by spring 0, then instantly passes back between two of theteeth of the year-wheel, locking the latter. The next month, April, isshown, and finger K rests in the notch 30, corresponding with saidmonth. Arm Lof lever Tagain engages the teeth of the'units wheel,preventing the gage-wheel from being turned back any farther by theaction. of spring R, and the train consisting of the units-wheel andtenswheel having been turned back by the reaction of the gage-wheel, thefirst day, or figure 1, is indicated or shows through the slotinthe faceof the dial.

In months having less than thirty one days the operation is preciselythe same, with the exception that it takes place sooner, when thespring-finger K is struck by step 28, 29, or 30 ot' the gage-flange H.The step 29 comes into action only once in four years, when the finger Kis supported upon the projection It of the four-year wheel P, which isthen opposite the notch 28 in the flange or rim W of the year-wheel.

The front ends of the shafts C and E may be made to project through thefront of the dial, and squared, so as to enable the datingdisks, whenmisplaced, to be replaced by means of akey.

Having thus ecscribed my invention, I claim and desire 'to secure byLetters Patent of the United States- 1. In a time-piece calendar, thegage-wheel L and spring B, arranged to be wound upon the shaft of saidwheel during the month or while the gage-wheel'advances, and to reactupon said wheel when released, in combination with mechanism forautomatically releasing said wheel at the end of the calendarmonth, asset forth.

2. In a time-piece calendar, the gage-wheel L, having arm G and steppedflange H, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the units-wheel having projecting arm N with thetens-wheel P, having notches O, the toothed tens-disk Z, theregulator-wheel A, having crank B, the pitman D, and the spring S allsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the year-wheel having a notched rim, WV, with thelever T, having spring K, the gage-wheel L, and the toothed wheel orunits-wheel I, all substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

5. The gage-wheel L, having. arm G and stepped flange H, in combinationwith the units-wheel I, the drivewheel D having arms E F, and theweek-wheel X, as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a calendar time-piece, the drivingwheel D placed loosely upon oneof the winding-posts, engaging the dial-wheel O and having arms E F forsimultaneously actuating the day-wheel and the unit-disk of themonthregister, as herein shown and specified.

7. The combination of the year-wheel having rim W, provided with teeth Wand notches 28 30, the lever T, having spring K, and curved arm providedwith hook M and tooth N, and the gagewheel L, having stepped flange H,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the units-wheel I,

having teeth or ratohets J, the gage-Wheel L, tially as and for thepurpose herein shown and the lever '1, having arm L, and the spring 0,specified.

substantially as set forth. P

9. The combination of the year-wheel hav- GEORGE LLMER bANFOhD' 5 ingnotched rim W, the four-year wheel hav- Witnesses:

ing projection R, the gage-wheel L, and the FRANK J. SMITH, lever '1,all arranged and operating snbstan- ADELBERT H. ANDREWS.

